By the numbers

72% of tasks

Robots are not taking over the manufacturing floor … yet. New data from A.T. Kearney and Drishti finds that humans still perform 72 percent of all manufacturing tasks. But that human interaction has a downside:

73 percent of variability on the factory floor is caused by humans and68 percent of all defects are caused by humans.

What employers want

The five skill sets manufacturing executives are seeking in workers are:

• Technology/computer skills

• Digital skills

• Programming skills for robots/automation

• Working with tools and technology

• Critical-thinking skills

Skills gap

The gap between available workers and the number of open positions continues to increase.

A new report from Deloitte and the Manufacturing Institute estimates that between 2018 and 2028, and accounting for openings due to projected growth and retirements, 2.4 million positions could go unfilled.

The three most difficult-to-fill areas are in digital talent, skilled production and operational management.